TV Chef Shaun Gilmore Killed in Bike Crash

Tributes have been paid to TV chef Shaun Gilmore, who was killed in a motorbike accident just yards from his Hampshire home.

Shaun was fatally injured when he lost control of his gold Honda ST 1,100 motorcycle in South Wonston on his way home from work in the early hours of Thursday, March 6.

The 38-year-old was head chef at the award-winning National Dining Rooms and National Caf? in London`s National Gallery as well as appearing as an expert screen cook on BBC TV show Celebrity Chef.

BBC managers have confirmed the episode in which he features will be broadcast in July and will be dedicated to his memory.

Colleague Yossi Edri told the Hampshire Chronicle: "Shaun was the best. He was not just a chef for me, but a close friend and mentor.

"He was a guy who listened to everyone - waitress or barman - and sorted our problems out. Now we are like a car without an engine. He is irreplaceable to me . . . like family."

Police say he came off his bike just 100 yards from the home he shared wife Susan and their nine-month-old son, Harry.

Ian Hoult, a senior officer at Hampshire County Council who lives nearby, heard the crash and was one of the first on the scene. He dialled 999 for an ambulance.

Mr Hoult said: "My wife Pauline came out with a blanket and felt for his pulse but there was none. He had suffered severe head injuries. There was nothing that could be done."

Shaun held a number of presigious positions during a glittering career. He worked at the Dorchester in London before being appointed head chef at Vong London in 1998.

He went on to become executive chef at Nobu in Shanghai, Taj Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur in India and Taj Exotica Resort and Spa in Mauritius.

Upon returning to London in 2005, he started up and ran several restaurants before joining National Dining Rooms as head chef.

Time Out magazine crowned the National Dining Rooms as the Best British Restaurant last October.